The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable. - Brennan Manning

How could I not trust a heavenly, perfect Father who loves me infinitely more than I will ever love my kids? - Francis Chan

We read a newspaper or Web page for information, but we read the Word of God for transformation. - Greg Heisler

I will not pray clarity for you. Clarity is the crutch of the Christian. But I will pray trust for you, that your trust will increase. - Mother Theresa

If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves. - Thomas Edison

God loves each of us as if there were only one of us. - St. Augustine

I will lose heart if I consider the work mine. - Jill Briscoe

The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart. - Helen Keller

The more obstacles you have, the more opportunities there are for God to do something. - Clarence W. Jones

I am ready to burn out for God. I am ready to endure any hardship, if by any means I might save some. The longing of my heart is to make known my glorious Redeemer to those who have never heard. - William Burns

We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them. - Albert Einstein

Here am I. Send me. - Isaiah

I have a firm conviction that I am immortal til my work is done.- Lottie Moon

A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her. - Maya Angelou

The reason why many are still troubled, still seeking, still making little forward progress is because they haven't yet come to the end of themselves. We're still trying to give orders, and interfering with God's work within us. - A.W. Tozer

He must increase, but I must decrease. - John the Baptist

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. - Jim Elliot

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men should do nothing. - Edmund Burke

The best thermometer of your spiritual temperature is the intensity of your prayer. - Spurgeon

If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him. - C.T. Studd

Face the Fire

Idolatry, Compromise, Persecution - Facing the Fire

Biblical Truth

When believers are called on to stand publicly for their faith, they must refuse to compromise.

Verses and Outline

Threatening Demand (Dan. 3:1-2, 4-6)

Determined Defiance (Dan. 3:8, 12-14)

Confident Defense (Dan. 3:16-18)

Amazing Deliverance (Dan. 3:24-26, 28)

Most people in America are not faced with a law that tells them they have to bow down before an idol. However, everyday we are faced with smaller challenges to our Christian faith. Eventually, the small, daily compromises we make to the current culture put us on a collision course with our allegiance to Christ.

George Barna wrote a book about "The Frog in the Kettle." The parable indicates that a frog will stay in a boiling pot if you begin by putting him in cold water and then gradually turn up the heat. In other words a person is more likely to compromise his or her faith gradually over time without even realizing it.

Dan. 3:1-2, 4-6

King Nebuchadnezzar built a statute 90 ft tall and 9 ft wide (about like a nine story building) and demanded everyone bow down to the idol when they heard the music play. The punishment for not doing so was to be thrown into a fiery furnace.

Do believers live under that kind of threat today? If not, what kind of threat do we live under?

What people, things, or ideas compete in your life for God’s rightful place? In what subtle ways do we fall into the trap of worshipping people and things other than God?

Dan. 3:8, 12-14

Some of the Chaldeans reminded the King what he had said and then started attacking Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They accused them of 3 things:

Disregarding or ignoring the King

Not serving the King’s gods.

Not bowing down – worshipping the idol

This made the King furious and had them brought to him so he could ask if it was true.

Why do you think some of the Chaldeans out to get the Hebrew men? What would they gain from the death of the three men?

Why are a Christian work ethic and a Christian lifestyle a threat to many people?

Does living out our faith automatically lead to social problems? Why or why not?

What do unbelievers gain when a believer suffers for taking a stand?

Sometimes trials give us a larger platform to share our faith.

Dan. 3:15-18

Do you think the king was giving them a second chance to obey him?

Some say yes, others say no, not really…he was going to follow through with his plans anyway. He was too angry to reason with.

Why did they choose to declare their convictions rather than let the music play again (Dan. 3:16-18)?

The three Hebrew men showed their confidence in God by being obedient. Their confidence was not that He would spare their lives. Their confidence was that He would accept their obedience.

Think about the various types of relationships that mean a great deal to you and the people in those relationships.

What risks would you be willing to take for some of those people?

Think about how much your relationship with God means to you. What risks would you be willing to take for the Lord?

What sacrifices would you be willing to make for God? The quality and depth of one's relationship with God will influence just how bold he is willing to be when his allegiance to God is at stake.

How insulated are we in our culture from the serious tests of faith experienced in other parts of the world?

Does knowing that Christians in many places all over the world are persecuted everyday increase our own willingness to stand for Christ?

What adjustments do we need to make to become a bolder witness for Christ?

Dan. 3:19-30

How did the miraculous deliverance of the three Hebrew young men affect the king? What impact did it have on the kingdom?

How did God use the faithfulness of the three young men as a "platform" for a miracle?

When were the men victorious?

Was the men's deliverance for their safety or for God's glory?

Summary

Ungodly demands may be placed on believers that threaten their very lives.

Determine now to reject all forms of idolatry.

People of true faith refuse to compromise in the face of grave danger.

Think about situations you may face this week that may cause you to compromise your faith.

Things on TV, radio, or in Movies

A supervisor may ask you to do something unethical.

A friend wants to share gossip.

You may feel the need to lie to cover up an embarrassing situation.

This week let’s try to honor God at every opportunity and boldly stand for Christ when called on to do so.

Look at Daniel 3:16-18 and 1 Peter 3:15-16 to help prepare for unexpected attacks.

Remember this verse when you are faced with the fire: Read Isaiah 43:2

God is with us in our times of fire just like He was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

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Are you ready?

Ready for What?

There is a time coming when life as you currently know it will be over. So what happens then? Does everything end? Is everything just over? Well, maybe... but what if it isn't? What if you're wrong? What if, when you die, you find yourself standing before an all righteous judge who's standard for acceptance is complete perfection? Not just pretty good but complete perfection! Then what? Will He accept you or reject you? Are you perfect, or just pretty good?

The Good News!
Well, there's good news! It's called the Gospel. And this good news says that, because of what Christ has done, we can be forgiven, be accepted by God and can live forever with Him.

Are You Willing?
But this gift of forgiveness and eternal life cannot be yours unless you willingly accept it. God requires an individual response from you. The following verses from the Bible show God's part and yours in this process:

Who is good?

"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10)

Who has sinned?

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23)

What are my options?

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

But I'm a sinner, how?

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)

What should I do?

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10:9)

Is this really for me?

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)

I think I get it, but what do I do?1) Realize you are a sinner in need of a savior.2) Repent; ask for forgiveness and turn from your sins.3) Ask Jesus to come into your life and be your savior.

You might pray something like this:

"Father, I know I am a sinner in need of a savior, and I know if I die in my sin, I will be eternally separated from you in Hell. I know your Son Jesus was the only one capable of paying my sin debt, and I know He died for me on the cross and rose again three days later and is now sitting at your right hand! I ask you to please forgive me of my sins and I ask Jesus to come into my life and be my savior. I trust in Him completely for this and will now do what He says! In Jesus name, Amen."

OK, What now?1) Now that you are a Christian, rejoice and tell someone.2) Pray! Pray about everything, asking the Lord for His help and guidance.3) If you don't have a Christian Bible, get one and read it every day. It contains God's words, and through it, the Holy Spirit will teach you how to live.4) Find a local Bible believing and teaching church and get involved! Attend it regularly and serve where you can. This will help you grow as a Christian.5) Find Christian friends to fellowship with! They will encourage you and you can encourage them. They will also help keep you on the right path.

Nothing can take the place of Prayer, Bible Study, Service and Fellowship. These are of primary importance. They are not rules to follow that will save you, Christ has already done that, if you have put your trust in Him. But they are key to living a life that will honor God! And maybe one day, you will hear Him say "Well done, thou good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21) If you have any other questions, please feel free to email us at: office@rsbaptist.org! We'd love to hear from you, and to help in any way we can.